West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Examples please! With known costs too. Thanks in advance.

Steve

 

I though you were all nuclear these days in West Somerset.

 

And there was me thinking the WSRA were a spit away from completing WSR-owned 9351 and had been writing a well-received blog about that.

Must have imagined it all....

Robin

 

Lots of places do up engines e.g. Urie 506 at Ropley, Locomotives are only part of the story.

 

Do you actually know what the financial arrangement for this is and how it fits in with other moves?

If not why comment?

 

If it is being sponsored please just say so. No details expected.

 

Welcome back Braunton

 

On the diesel gala timetable where it show QB, are there suitable coaches for normal fare passengers Thxs.

 

Yes. But you were having a moan (from a basis of no facts) about what the WSR was doing with locomotives and I offered a fact that pulls in the other direction.

I appreciate that isn’t helpful if you just want to have a moan...

But, do you know, I’d rather get on and fix the bits I can fix in Somerset. What you do (to help or not) is up to you.

Robin

 

Exactly. If the WSR is expecting/hoping people outside to help with providing the small mountain of cash it's going to need to renew infrastructure, it's going to have to learn to be a little more open about its finances. No, we don't need to know detail, down to individual names, etc, but if someone has stepped up to cover a cost, so it's not a drain on the organization's finances, just say so.

Noel

 

Although the WSR is not unique, I have been reminded very forcibly this weekend how far the railway has come in 40 years. And more than anything else it is down to people, paid or volunteer.

As a Fathers Day treat today , Mrs S. and I booked the Quantock Belle. The food was excellent, the rolling stock immaculate, and most of all the volunteer stewards were professional, friendly and very good natured. A gleaming "Bradley Manor" and an equally well turned out Pannier headed the down train and up train respectfully.

Yesterday I purchased a copy of the recently published tome "Tales of the West Somerset Railway" being reminiscences of some of the pioneers of the WSR. Whilst there is some duplication of content it is a very good read, recounting the challenges that faced them 40+ years ago.

Yes there are challenges today, but with the right people they can, as before be overcome: I am sure they will be.

There will be contributors to this forum who are doubting Thomas's, but I think they will be proved wrong.

 

Not sure what this has to do with nuclear power stations or people committing suicide on the WSR due to posts on NP, so I am nor sure why my post was referenced - unless......
However, your post is of interest and does bring the thread topic back.

 

This really won't do but I do appreciate that in your profession you are more used to asking rather than answering questions. In his posting #19710 @jnc has set out the issue far more eloquently than I.

 

I was merely trying to give a balance and saying that there is no need for contemplating suicide in West Somerset. The pioneers on the line [I was not one of them] didn't, and they overcame great challenges so we should follow their example.

 

No, of course, it really wont do. I see that now.

Robin

 

Well said Tim. I've only been a WSR volunteer since 1979, so it depends on how you define 'pioneer' although some lamp posts and I do get a passing mention in the book...

Robin (glass half full) White

 

Reading a lot of posts here does not suggest that volunteers past or present are at fault - the 4110 Group amplify that, any suggested criticisms appear to lie elsewhere. The WSR is similar to many lines that have forged their way over the years, it just seems that recent years much of the pioneering work - and that currently done by the small groups on the line - have felt the effects of the well publicised acrimony and current catastrophe affecting the WSR. There is no need for defensiveness for most volunteers; they don't need it.

 

Ah, Nat Pres. No wonder it has a poor rating. Time to go.

Steve

 

Why would the WSR be paying the transport for a loco to visit an open day elsewhere? Normally it’s the event organiser who pays....

 

(Couldn't resist, given some earlier postings...)

Tom